The Lowdown on Pride Events 2018

The Lowdown on Pride Events 2018

LGBTQ+ Pride commemorates the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan. These riots were a huge part of the liberation of the gay movement in the US. Many cities across the globe celebrate Gay Pride with a variety of events, including picnics, parades, concerts and parties, designed to give the LGBTQ+ community a sense of togetherness and acceptance.

These events gather millions of visitors and participants, often covered in glitter, makeup, costumes and rainbow colours, while sporting LGBTQ+ flags. These Pride events also recognise the influence that the LGBTQ+ community has had on history and today’s modern society. Here are some of the biggest Pride events of this year for you to check out in the south of England.

July

Uk Black Pride is designed to promote unity and cooperation amongst people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Middle Eastern and Latin American descent, who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Their friends and family are also welcome. Since its conception as a small social outing in Southend-On-Sea, UK Black Pride has lead to securing the confidence, respect and support of the community. UK Black Pride is an award-winning event, as Europe’s largest not-for-profit event for a variety of ethnic backgrounds.

Croydon Pride is known for its constant strive for LGBTQ+ tolerance and equality within its city’s diverse communities. They are also a UK-registered charity, with the intention that PrideFest remains a free event for everyone over the coming years - with any funds that they raise being invested back into the charity. Croydon PrideFest is London’s second biggest Pride festival, with this being the third year this event has run.

August

Having previously been referred to as ‘the country’s most popular LGBTQ+ event’ by the Guardian, Brighton Pride festival is a colourful and spirited event that celebrates everything that is wonderful about Brighton and Hove’s diverse community. With so many visitors from across the world, Brighton Pride festival has proved itself time and time again to be the UK’s biggest, best and most beautiful Pride event, with community and fundraising at its heart.

While Folkestone Pride is only in its second year of running, it’s one of the biggest Pride events in Kent. With the mass of fundraising events that they run in preparation for the big day, not only are they ensuring that the event itself is free, but also that everyone can contribute to one of the biggest and best pride events that Kent has to offer. Folkestone Pride truly offers a community spirit, from fundraising to the celebration of all things Pride on the Kent coast.